Sleep in Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is common and under recognized. Although more common in patients with OSA associated with chronic lung disease, it is still present in about 20% of patient without co morbid lung or heart disease. Various pathophysiologic changes in OSA especially nocturnal oxygen desaturation, intrathoracic pressure swings, abnormalities in lung mechanics, alteration in ventricular function and rheological changes can contribute to the presence and severity of pulmonary hypertension. The clinical profile in individuals with OSA and pulmonary hypertension are different than in patients with OSA who do not have pulmonary hypertension. Effective treatment of OSA with n CPAP for 12 weeks results in improvement in pulmonary artery pressure.